Oakland Park Rejects Plan To Construct 4-story Project

OAKLAND PARK — The City Council, responding to the concerns of neighborhood residents, rejected the Archdiocese of Miami`s plans to develop a federally subsidized elderly housing project.

The archdiocese wanted to construct a four-story, 121-unit building on eight acres of vacant property next to Blessed Sacrament Church on Oakland Park Boulevard.

About 70 residents turned out for Wednesday night`s council meeting and complained that the project would lower property values, increase traffic and ruin the single-family makeup of the area.

``We`re appalled such a facility would be proposed for our area,`` said Dr. John Montanti, a spokesman for neighborhood residents. ``Let`s stop this. It is not just the local community (that is against it). It is Oakland Park.``

About a dozen residents voiced their opinions opposing the $5.9 million project that would have been built with U.S. Housing and Urban Development funds. The Rev. Jerome Martin, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church, 1701 E. Oakland Park Blvd., said he personally supported the proposed complex but asked the archdiocese to drop its plans because the community was strongly against it.

``The church has a mission to be a witness and influence in the community,`` said Martin. ``With such strong opposition and perhaps hostility, it would be impossible to fulfill that mission.``

The council, with the exception of Vice Mayor Mary Laveratt, informally approved the project in May. The Planning and Zoning Board, however, declined to rezone the property in December after residents voiced their opposition.